At 51 years old, Shorter fears there could be no way back and admits: "I'm not quite sure about the full extent of the damage.

"I've got a knee brace on and my knee wobbles all over the place. I slid in to field a ball. It's something that I've done a thousand times and then got up to throw the ball back in. But this time my spikes stuck into the ground and my leg went out at right angles.

"I've broken toes and fingers before in the past and always carried on playing. But this time I'm pole-axed and it's left me completely gutted that I can't lead the lads, especially as this is their first season in Birmingham League cricket. April 30, 2006 is a date that will stick in my mind for a long time."

Shorter is one of the most familiar faces on the Stafford-shire club cricket scene.

He graced Himley for 32 years as a player, leading them to Lord's in 1988 for the National Village Final. In more recent times he had a short spell with Penkridge, before moving to Wombourne three years ago.

Shorter, who lives at nearby Wall Heath, added: "There was a job to be done at Wombourne. My first season was spent fighting off relegation.

"Next season we won the Staffs Clubs League and obtained promotion into the Birmingham League for the first time in our history."

Shorter has been forced to hand the captaincy over to his son Ben who, at 26 years old, is one of the veterans of Wombourne's side.

And Shorter added: "I've never featured in such a young side before. Even when I was playing, the average age of the side was only 23 - I think it's down to 21 at the moment.

"All through my career I've not seen such a good crop of youngsters all coming through at the same time. And the surprising thing is that they're all local lads. That's why it hurts so much that I'm not able to lead them.

"I certainly won't play again this season, perhaps not at all. But the most important thing is that Wombourne do well in the Birmingham League. Success in the National Knockout is purely icing on the cake.

"That said, there's no reason why we shouldn't progress further in the competition. We play against Whitchurch in the next round - if we win that, who knows what could happen?"